Valves



April 12, 1960 A. N. STANTON 2,932,316

VALVES Filed y 1, 1957 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Z8 a6 3 35 34 m ';i\

44 26 I m 50 a? 26 Fig.l

25' A5 J -e ,9 J5 za 5 z; 3/ la INVENTOR Austin N. Stanton ATTORNEY April 12, 1960 A. N. STANTON VALVES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 63 le2 60 Filed July 1, 1957 1L. 1}. 7a 55 82 5a 7a a Fig. 4

INVENTOR Austin N. Stanton ATTORNEY April 12, 1960 N, STANTON 2,932,316

A VES Filed J y '1957 5 Sheet 3 Austin anton ATTORNEY VALVES Austin N. Stanton, Garland, Tex. Application July 1, 1957, Serial No. 669,212 4 Claims. (Cl. 137-508) This invention relates to valves, and more particularly to valves for controlling a two way flow of fluid.

In many applications it is common practice to have fluid under pressure travel first in one direction and then in an opposite direction through the same line. In some applications of the above type it is desirable to have the rate of fluid flow in one direction different from the rate of fluid flow in the other direction. This, of course, when applied to machine tools and other hydraulic means, allows a differential rate of movement between a forward and return stroke of the hydraulic means.

Briefly stated, this invention employs a valve means which allows fluid flow in one direction at any desired rate and fluid flow in an opposite direction at .any desired rate. Means are provided in the valve whereby the rate of flow, in either direction may be adjusted to the desired rate. More specifically, the valve meansis provided with a sliding member which, in a first position in the valve, provides a first orifice which regulates the rate of fluid flow in a first direction and, when the direction of fluid flow is reversed, the sliding member assumes a second position in the valve which provides a second orifice to regulate the rate of fluid flow in the second direction. By providing means to adjust the opening of the orifice at either end, the rate of flow in either direction may be controlled.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved valve means.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved two way valve means.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved valve means for controlling fluid flow between two conductors whereby the rate of fluid flow in either direction may be varied.

, It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved valve means having an adjustable orifice.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved two way valve means with orifices and means to vary the orifices independently whereby the rate of flow in either direction thru the valve may be varied.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved valve means having a slidable member which acts as a control member in the valve to regulate the opening of the orifices of the valve and consequently the fluid flow thru the valve.

It is an object of this inventiontoprovide a new and improved valve means for controlling fluid flow between two conductors by providing a valve with means to obtain the desired rate of flow in either direction.

These and other advantages will be apparent in the following disclosure of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal section view of a two way valve means with a fluid flow from the left side to right side of the figure.

Figure 2 illustrates a longitudinal section view of the two way valve means of Figure 1 with the fluid flow in a reverse direction. n l i Figure '3 is a perspective view of the valve means.

nitcd States Patent-O 24 of the end cap chambers 21 and 25 plunger 27 which P ened p 12. 6.

Figure 4 is 'a longitudinal section view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5- 5 of Figure 4. I

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines -10- 10 of Figure 8.

Referring 'now more particularly to Figures 1-3 there is shown a valve means 10 where a fluid can be conducted through the said valve means 'via conductors 11 and 12. The valve means 10 is preferably comprised of a cylindrical main casing 13 and an end cap 14, the casing and cap being connected together by means of bolts 15 which extend through a hole 16 in the cap and are threaded into threaded holes 17 in the main casing. A seal 18 or any other suitable means is used to seal the junction of the cap and casing. The end cap 14 has a threaded bore 19 extending 'from the outer end surface 20 of the cap 'to an internal cylindrical end chamber '21 of larger diameter than the threaded bore 19. The end chamber 21 opens into a second ,or main cylindrical chamber 22 in the main casing '13 which has a larger diameter than the chamber 21. The closed end 23 of the casing 13 has similarly a threadedbore 24 opening into an end chamber '25, this end chamber being of the same diameter as end chamber 21. The end chamber 25 also opens into the second or main chamber 22. The end cap 14 and the closed end 23 of the casing also have threaded bores 26 extending into the respective end chambers 21 and 25 allowing connection or the conductors 1-1 and 12 to the respective chambers 21 and 2 5. The second or main chamber '22 has inserted therein a slidable member or .plunger 27 which is slidable in the chamber 22 between the abutting surfaces 28 and 29 which are formed by the difierent diameters between the end and the main chamber 22. The plunger 27 has a longitudinal bore 30 extending from oneend 31 to the other end 32 to allow fluid passage thru the valve means, and each end of the bore is tapered outwardly to provide conically tapered surfaces 33 and 34 which cooperate with the conical heads 35 and 36 in that the surfaces and heads define spaced, annular ringli ke openings 37 and 38. The conical heads 35 and 36 are, in turn, carried by threaded members 40 and 41 respectively, which extend through threaded bores 19 and and casing. The casing 13 has located thereon a threaded boss 42 in which a ball 43, a spring and a screw 45 comprise a detent means. notches 46 and 47 are cut around the periphery of theplunger27 so that the plunger may be held releasably in position by the spring pressed ball 43 at either end of the chamber 22. In operation, a fluid flow from conductor 11 enters end chamber 21 thru the threaded bore 26. The pressure of the fluid flow pushes against the end 31 of the forces the plunger end 32 against the end wall 29 as shown in Figure -1. The spring pressed ball 43 and groove 46, releasably hold the .plunger in this position and prevent the plunger from chattering or oscillating in the chamber. The fluid flows through the bore 30 of the plunger 27, the spaced opening 38 defined conical head 36. Thus "the si'ze of opening 38 can be adjusted or varied by moving -the conical head 36 in and out by rotation of the threaded member 41 in a well known manner which can, of course, present a large or small opening as desired. It will be obvious that the rate of fluid flow varies as the size of the opening.

Conversely, when the fluid flow is from conductor 12 to conductor 11 as shown in Figure 2, the plunger 27 is forced to its other position where the spring pressed ball 43 engages the groove 47 releasably locking the plunger in position. The fluid flow thru the valve is similar to that described with respect to Figure 1 except that it is reversed and, in this instance, the rate of flow is determined by the spaced opening'37 defined between the tapered surface 33 and the conical head 35. The size of the opening 37 is adjusted to the desired opening by moving the head in and out by rotation of the threaded member 40. It will fluid flow in either direction may be independently adjusted as desired by varying either of the openings 37 or 38 thru which the fluid must flow.

Turning now to Figures 3-7 there is shown another valve means 50 which is generally composed of end caps now be apparent that the rate of 51 and 52 and a central casing 53 with adjustment collars 54 and 55 positioned between each end cap and central casing. The end caps are generally cylindrical and have centrally threaded bore 56 and 57 extending into a centrally bored chamber 58. At one end of each cap are flanges 59 and 60, each having a greater diameter than the diameter of the cap. The main casing 53 also has flanges 61 at each end of the casing. Spacers 62 are positioned between the end cap flanges 59 and 60 and the casing flanges 61 and bolts 63 are inserted through bores in the flanges 59 and 60 and spacer to hold the end caps and easing together. The spacing between the flanges 59, 60 and flanges 61 is such that the adjustment collars 54 and 55 may be rotated without binding. The

adjustment collars 54 and 55 are annular rings having internal threaded bores 64 and 65 and having lugs 66 secured to its outer peripheral surface. The lugs may be welded or otherwise fixed to the ring and are provided with a bore 67 which is adapted to receive a tool whereby the tool may be used to rotate the ring. Adjustable block members 68 and 69 each having an externally threaded surface 64a and 65a are positioned in the end cap chambers 58 and the bored cylindrical chamber 58 of the main casing. The block members 68 and 69 have centrally located bores 70 and 71 which allow fluid communication between the threaded bores 56, 57 and the chamber 58. The bores 70, 71 are tapered outwardly at one end to provide tapered surfaces 72 and 73. Keyways 74 are provided at one end of the block members 68, 69 which coact with keying members 75 on the main casing 53 so that the block members are held against rotation but may be moved axially. It will be readily apparent that rotation of either annular ring will cause the corresponding block member to move axially by the virtue of the thread action between the member and ring. In the main casing 53 are spaced bearing blocks 76 and 77 which are centrally positioned therein by means of connecting arms 78 which extend between the bearing blocks 76 and 77 and the internal wall 780 of the casing. A sliding rod 79 extends through the bearing blocks and carries at each end thereof conical head members 80 and 81. The bases 82 and 83 of the conical head members are used as abutting surfaces in conjunction with the bearing blocks 76 and 77 so that the rod may slide through the bearing block until the back surface of a head abuts the bearing block. As shown in Figure 4, base 82 is stopped against bearing block 76 effectively limiting the travel of the rod and positioning conical head 81 in the opening of tapered surface 73. This efiectively limits the travel of the rod in either direction. A plurality of fins '84 are positioned around the rod 79 and fixed thereto by means of a bearing block 84a which is, in turn, fixed to the rod 79 between the bearing blocks to provide a positive movement of the rod in response to fluid flow.

The operation of the apparatus is similar to that ascribed in Figures 1-3 in that, a fluid flow, for example, from the threaded bore 56 is passed thru the chamber 58 to the other threaded bore 57. In this direction of flow the rate is determined by the opening 85 between the conical head 81 and block member 69 and the rate of fluid flow may be adjusted by axially moving the block member 69 in the manner described which varies the opening. When the fluid flow is from threaded bore 57 to threaded bore 56, the rod 79 is shifted by the fluid force on the fins 84 and now the rate of flow, in this direction, is determined bythe opening between the conical head 80 and block member 68 which opening also can be adjusted in the manner described. Consequently, it will be seen that this embodiment also provides an independent adjustment of the rate of flow in either direction by varying the orifice openings.

Referring now to the embodiment in Figures 8-10 a valve means is shown which is comprised of end caps 101 and 102, a main casing 103 and adjustment collars 104, 105 positioned between each end cap and the main casing. The end caps are generally cylindrical and have centrally threaded bores 106, 107 extending into tapered wall internal chambers 108, 109 which, in turn, open into a cylindrical main chamber 110. At one end of each cap are flanges 111, 112 having a greater diameter than the diameter of the cap. The main casing 103 also has flanges 113 on each end thereof. The end caps 101 and 102 and the main casing 103 are connected together by retaining members 114 which connect the flanges of the end caps and the main casing to hold the end caps in a fixed position relative to the main casing and still allow the adjustment ring 104 to be rotated without binding between the contacting surfaces. The retaining members 114 are composed of semiannular rings 115a and 115b each having one side 116 thereof extending inwardly to form a flange and an abutting plate member 117 which is suitably bolted to the rings by bolts 118 and forms a flange portion on that side of the ring. The rings are bolted together by suitable means such as bolts 115s. The retaining members 114 have a slot 119 cut into a portion of the annular periphery to allow an adjustment tool to be used. Extending into the slot 119 is an upstanding lug 120 with a suitable bore 121 in the end thereof for receipt of a tool, the lug being welded or otherwise firmly attached to an annular adjustment collar. The inner surfaces 122 of the adjustment collars are threaded to mate with threaded supporting rings 123 and 124. Bearing blocks 125 and 126 are centrally positioned in the cylindrical chamber formed by the end caps and main casing by means of supporting arms 127 which extend from the bearing blocks 125 and 126 to the inner surface 128 of the supporting rings. The supporting arms 127 are suitably fixed in position. The supporting rings 123 and 124 also have axial projections 129 which have a suitable keyway for a keying member 130 in the end caps. The key and keyway allow axial movement of the supporting rings 123 and 124 but prevent the rings from rotating. A sliding rod 131 carrying conical head members 134 and is positioned in the bearing blocks and is adapted for axial sliding movement through the bearing blocks 125 and 126. Between the spaced blocks and fastened to the rod is a stop member 132 and extending from the stop member are a plurality of actuating fins 133 to insure positive movement of the rod upon reversal of fluid flow. The distance between the two bearing blocks 125 and 126 and, hence, the length of the casing 103 is such that when the stop member 132 abuts the bearing block 126, the conical head 134 is a position with respect to the tapered chamber wall 109 of the end cap 102 to provide a spaced opening 136 which controls the rate of fluid flow. Conversely, when the stop member 132 abuts the other bearing block 125, the other conical head 135 will be in position with respect to the tapered chamber wall 108 of the end cap 101 to provide a spaced opening which controls the rate of fluid flow at that opening. It will be further appreciated that if either adjustment collar 104 or 105 is rotated, a bearing block 125 or 126 will be moved axially by the thread action between the adjustment collar 104 or 1% and the respective supporting ring 123 or 124 which will, in turn, vary the stop position of the corresponding bearing block by changing the position where the bearing block acts as a stop and consequently the opening between the conical head and tapered surface of either end may be varied according to the adjustment of either bearing block stop.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that this invention provides a two way control valve for fluid flow between a first and second conductor wherein a fluid flow from said first conductor to said second conductor causes a movable member in the valve body to provide a first controllable opening or orifice between said valve body and said movable member to control the rate of flow in a first direction and fluid flow from said'second conductor to said first conductor causes said movable member to provide a second controllable opening between movable member and said valve body to control the rate of flow in a second direction and wherein means are provided to adjustably vary the openings between .the said valve body and said movable member so that the rate of flow in either direction may be independently adjusted to any desired rate of flow.

I claim:

1. A valve means comprising a housing having an internal chamber extending through said housing from one closed end to the other closed end and including a conductor communicating with said internal chamber at each end, a slidable member in said internal chamber, stop means to limit the movement of said member at each end of said chamber, said slidable member having a passageway extending therethrough and adjustable means associated'with each closed end of said housing whereby the opening between said adjustable means and said passageway determines the rate of flow and may be adjusted as desired, in either direction, by said adjustable means.

2. The device .of claim 1 wherein detent means are provided to releasably lock the sliding member in position at either end of said internal chamber.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means are threaded members extending through said closed ends. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said stop means is an abutting surface formed by the junction of said internal chamber with second chambers of less dimensions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 

